Out of Sync

Out of Sync (2/8/2012) Annually I experience the same odd weekend in late January or early February void of understanding the fascination of watching steroidal, beast-like millionaires engage in gladiator activities on a Sunday evening. I think my concern would wash away if the obsessed fans were willing to move from the couch and do more than head to Wal-Mart to purchase corn-syrup enriched foods to add to their excessively high caloric intake. For days beforehand morning and evening news programs beam critical messages to the masses about the must-watch game, cannot wait to be seen commercials, and the over-hyped halftime show. Unable to afford it, but still willing, consumers will purchase new televisions to achieve bragging rights among their friends. Grocery stores peddle mountains of soda and chips at the gateways to their stores and decorate like another holiday has come. On game day over zealous fans will don tribal colors to cheer for their millionaires and some will paint their skin or even forever mark themselves with tattoos. Hilariously, the word “we” will be used more than ever to claim membership on a team although no fan would be allowed near the celebrity players. With 45.8 million Americans on food stamps it is likely the SNAP card will purchase soda and chips to celebrate the day. For an afternoon the unemployed, those facing foreclosure, and many worried about job security will disregard the true American concerns instead asserting this ritual game as more important. Sadly, these same hurting neighbors will know more about the players, their names, hometowns, and meaningless statistics than they do members of congress, their state legislature, or local elected officials. Ironically, many support the “occupy” movements and fall victim to the populist arguments of today, but fail to realize their own celebration of the ultra-rich further distances the classes. While players unionize to find fairness in the absurd revenue generation, the owners are elevated from the lifestyle of their fans by wealth beyond most imaginations. I wonder how many fans realize a player earns more in one season than most fans will earn in a lifetime? So, another meaningless game has come and gone and an afternoon of life was given to further reward those our president is suggesting we despise. Of course, many men will take their sons to football practice to teach them the gladiator like throws, and tackles to hopefully make superstars of them, or more importantly demonstrate their masculinity to their tribal friends. The reward of the annual ritual of millionaire game playing is the small boost to the economy and distraction from woe, but the tragedy is the blind following of the masses being entertained like the citizens of Rome as the empire faces collapse.

1984, Y2K, 2012...

1984, Y2K, 2012...(12/28/2011) It started last week when I saw my first article referencing a countdown to the winter solstice of 2012 when the Mayan calendar predicts the world will end. I think this is silliness and would be the same as a future archaeologist mining a 21st century landfill and finding a “Snap-On” tools calendar ending 12/31/2011. Speculative archaeologists make conclusions based on limited data and future generations could infer we worshipped scantily clad women and predicted our termination at the end of this year. Cultures have always focused on end-of-time events. I believe a fascination with the opportunity to have a genesis of life provides hope by focusing on doomsday dates . Whether fueled by Nostradamus, lunatics like Harold Camping, a novel written by George Orwell, or the errors of 1960’s computer programmers, Hollywood, the media, and internet pundits focus on predictions to build their own following and create panic. Speculation from movies like The Road, Armageddon, or 2012 feed the appetite of people seeing hope through termination of today’s woes and a clean start in a new world. Predictions of an Orwellian society did not come true in 1984. However, a slow incremental change has occurred and continues to take us closer to that vision nearly every day. Slowly liberties and freedoms are eroding to government sponsored surveillance and restricted speech, travel, and freedoms. Looking back to 1999 we know airplanes did not fall from the sky or satellites crash to earth, and traffic lights and computers continued to operate. However, more than any prophetic event facing our world the hype around Y2K contained a level of validity. Personally, as a software-company owner at the time, I benefitted from failures of my competitors to update products for the year 2000 and conclude a level of failure was avoided through preparation. In 2012 disasters are looming on the horizon which may create the feel of a societal collapse and end life as we know it. At the end of 2011 when we feel the worst of the financial crisis is behind us the world governments have used their ammunition to save the economies but the battle must continue. With no way left to fight Europe will face its biggest financial challenge and could ultimately collapse upon itself. Although China has expanded rapidly growth will halt and credit will freeze due to an American and European consumer hunkered down awaiting the end of the world where iPhones and shopping malls will no longer be important. Western nations will fight to recover outsourced industries, realizing globalism created a Roman Empire like gluttonous lifestyle and they must save themselves through isolationism, thus shutting down third-world development and freezing economic growth. I predict the world will not end December 21, 2012. However, our current malaise will continue to exacerbate and make many wish an epic calamity would cleanse our past mistakes. Careful prudence and pragmatism will guide the successful whereas hardship will enslave many of our friends and neighbors unwilling to change old habits. Ultimately we will look back laughingly at the hyped prophecy of 2012 as we do past predictions. Next up, Hollywood can focus on the impending collision of the Apophis Asteroid on April 13, 2036. Happy New Year!

Only in America

Only in America (12/14/2011) Every day the world around seems to get crazier. Headlines shout out moves by our government that make no sense, but yet we abide by the changes thrust upon us. I thought I would compile a short list of what I consider infringements upon our liberties that we could not imagine five years ago, and certainly never a decade or two ago. Through slow incrementalism we, the citizens, have eroded our own freedoms. Actions by TSA top the list; an agency which did not exist a decade ago but now employs approximately 50,000 screeners and has a budget of $8.1 billion. This agency now requires everyone to throw away water before boarding an airplane. Water is the essential liquid required to live on our planet, it puts out fires, and easily identified. But, only in America if you are drinking water while waiting in a security line is it now a security threat. A close second is last week’s incident by TSA strip searching 85 year-old Lenore Zimmerman. Only in America would a 100 pound 85 year-old be considered a terrorist requiring a complete vacate of common sense. Attending theme parks and sports events has brought another level of questionability to liberty erosion. Watching the “rent a guard” screeners at facilities like the Coca-Cola museum, Georgia Aquarium, Disney, or Sea World laughingly rifle through personal belongings with chop sticks while wearing latex gloves confirms the authoritarian moves of fear implementation and our own stupidity. Only in America would we trust our lives to $9.00/hour security guards and allow them to infringe on our privacy while claiming to protect a commercial enterprise from a bogeyman terrorist threat. Tracking citizens has become the latest trend by government both national and local. Although the constitution guarantees freedom from warrantless search and seizures, we have allowed government entities to track vehicles with GPS, install cameras using facial recognition software to track individuals, and license plate scanners watching and permanently recording the location of our vehicles. In addition, police departments now carry devices to take and download cellular phone data, without warrants, during stops. Only in America would George Orwell’s predicted tracking of citizens occur in our lifetime. Nearly everyone with a smart phone has a video camera with them 24-hours per day. The first sensationalized recording of police brutality was the Rodney King beating caught by news helicopters, and if the cameras were not on scene the LAPD would have denied the punishment they put on King. Nearly every day citizens are now arrested for filming their own arrests or the arrests of others. The most serious being Michael Allison in Illinois who faces five counts of wiretapping for filming his own arrest this past summer. If we cannot film the public servants hired by us, the citizens, to ensure rights are protected then a police state has truly come into existence. Only in America would filming a police officer lead to the arrest of an innocent bystander. Our country has changed before our eyes. Since the passage of the Patriot Act our government has accelerated its actions to interrogate, search, and control the innocent citizens of America. Our founding fathers warned against such actions and tried to protect us with the Bill of Rights. Only in America would we ignore history and readily give up Rights that were won with the blood of our ancestors.

Zombieland

Zombieland (11/30/2011) Watching the news last week was absolutely predictable as there was much speculation about zombies appearing on Black Friday to consume meaningless merchandise from China. I am guessing most of the zombies have garages full of past Black Friday festivals, plastic junk hidden away under children’s beds and some may have storage units holding booties from years past. For several weeks the zombies have been fed hype regarding deals on computers, tablets, televisions, clothes, and a myriad of other unneeded items. Last week’s newspapers prepared the zombies so they could map their plans with war like precision. Over the last several years the retailers who feed the zombies have become more sophisticated by using the internet. This allows some zombies to continue feeding on traditional foods at home, Thanksgiving leftovers, and use their computer to kill merchandise with their credit cards and a few online clicks. These zombies feel they have an edge against everyone since they maintain the protection of their homes and can start shopping and killing deals in the digital fantasy world; oblivious to social interaction and breathing fresh air. Not only was the news an accomplice to the zombies, but the media was being fed by our own government. There were reports if the zombies did not consume enough merchandise then the great beast, “The Economy,” would not survive. It appears the annual ritual of zombies appearing on the day after Thanksgiving has become the signal for the life of the beast over the following year. The President himself helped by ensuring merchandise for his campaign was marked down 10% on Friday, giving zombies a new purchasing outlet As stores opened the zombies took to hurting each other: A 55-year-old Marston, N.C., woman zombie who had just finished Black Friday shopping for Christmas presents with her sister zombie and son at Wal-Mart in Myrtle Beach was shot in the foot during a robbery in a nearby parking lot; in Phoenix, AZ a brawl broke out in the video game aisle as zombies madly tore open packages like they contained the cure for cancer; at a Pittsburgh area mall where a hot deal on yoga pants had some women zombies fuming. “Literally, girls zombies were punching each other,” said shopper Liz Wentling, and “girls were literally shoving each other, moms were getting into it.” In Rome, NY zombies at a Wal-Mart injured two female zombies and a male zombie was arrested after fighting in the electronics department. In another incident, a woman zombie trying to improve her chance to buy cheap electronics at a Wal-Mart in a wealthy Los Angeles suburb spewed pepper spray on a crowd of zombies and 20 zombies suffered minor injuries, police said Friday. Black Friday’s ritual has become more prevalent over the last several years, especially as the Beast has been dying. Roosevelt was the first to try to control the zombies during the Great Depression by moving thanksgiving a week earlier to stretch the holiday shopping season in 1939. But it was not until Philadelphia newspapers used the phrase in 1966 did the zombies have a festival day called Black Friday. The mid-1990’s propelled the frenzy to headlines and in 2002 Black Friday officially became the biggest shopping day of the year. Last week approximately 134 million zombies left their caves to kill deals nationwide on Black Friday. As the zombies face the hangover of debt from consuming too much meaningless merchandise retailers were quick to celebrate “the best Black Friday in years.”

I call Bullsh-t

I call Bullsh-t (11/2/2011) It is disappointing to see the criticism emerging around the Herman Cain presidential candidacy. The irony spewed forth by the media is appalling and I call bullsh-t on this issue. For whatever reason there is a generally accepted media opinion of republicans as racist. The election of Barak Obama was a historic moment for America, the first non-white elected to office. There will be many other firsts to the presidency in the future, this is just the start. In 2008 accusations flew that conservatives were anti-Obama because he was black. The problem then became one of questioning any comments, statements, or plans by candidate Obama as being made by a racist, not by a person of differing opinions. Conservatives were shut-down and ultimately afraid to speak their mind regarding the questionable path down which President Obama wanted to take America. Fast forward three years and conservatives are again targeted by the liberal media bias as racist. Ironically, conservatives are now racists because many support a black man running for president. Herman Cain is a capable businessman with more experience and personal successes than Barak Obama. Instead of organizing communities he ran the Federal Reserve of Kansas City and one of the largest food retailers in the country. His 1994 debate against President Clinton over healthcare reform highlighted his capabilities as a knowledgeable man regarding issues. Personally, I have enjoyed Cain’s conservative radio show and never questioned his race as a factor regarding his views. Over the last three weeks MSNBC has been at the front of the hypocrisy regarding these issues. On October 14, Ed Shultz, host of the “Ed Shultz Show” commented, "You think about white Republicans who don't like black folks," Schultz explained. "It's almost as if this guy is trying to warm up to them and tell them what they want to hear." Last week On Martin Bashir's television program, Democratic strategist and MSNBC analyst Karen Finney said that Republicans are supporting Herman Cain because of his race. It appears in America to not be racist one has to be a democrat. It also appears even if you are black, you can be racist if questioning the education gaps and the possibility some fault lies personally with people. For my entire life democrats have successfully pandered to minorities in our country under the guise the only solution is through government to increase personal well-being. Most businessmen and Herman Cain too, will argue that success comes from individual achievement, not government charity. I do not want to be part of the government plantation and argue my support of Herman Cain does not make me racist. To MSNBC and the liberal media I call bullsh-t.

Little Noticed News

Little Noticed News (6/1/2011)
Oprah, Republican presidential candidate implosions, and Obama’s Irish roots seem to dominate the news. On a national and international level none of these newsworthy events will impact most Americans. Instead, I argue there is an entire underlying level of news taking place nationwide, some of which gets a brief mention on one of the cable or broadcast networks, but most of the news disappears not to be heard from again. America is changing, and changing rapidly. Willfully civil rights and constitutional guarantees are being eroded, and yet a blind eye is turned. Below I have listed examples from the last three weeks.
On May 22, 2011 - a Santa Fe, NM high school announced TSA would pat-down students as part of security to enter Prom. From TSA’s own web site, the agency’s mission is, “The Transportation Security Administration protects the Nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.” Nowhere is a high school or sports event mentioned, and I cannot imagine being groped on my last night in high school.
May 21, 2011 – Mark Fiornio strolled through downtown Philadelphia lawfully, openly, carrying his permitted gun. The issue at hand is Mr. Fiornio was detained, nearly shot, and charges brought against him for disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment. He tried to explain to police offers he had a permit and cited the statutory laws allowing him to open carry. Local authorities are warning gun owners that they will be "inconvenienced" if they carry unconcealed handguns in the city.
May 15, 2011 – The Indiana Supreme Court, 3-2, ruled people have no right to resist officers who enter their homes under the premise it is in the greater public good and would minimize confrontation. Additionally, the Indiana Court ruled police do not need to knock to serve a search warrant.
May 17, 2011 – Historically police offers required probable cause and a search warrant before breaking into a home. That changed with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Kentucky v. King. Ruling 8-1 the justices gave police more leeway to break into homes or apartments in search of illegal drugs when they suspect the evidence otherwise might be destroyed. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dissented, fearing the ruling gave police an easy way to ignore 4th Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
In each of the above cases I can easily see the argument for “greater good”, “public safety” and other pansy excuses. Sadly, “we the people” are continuing to allow our freedoms to incrementally erode away. In one week, four cases that have far reaching circumstances. As a reminder, blood was shed for The Fourth Amendment, which assures that “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated,”

Can I Wear My Shoes Now?

Can I wear my Shoes Now? (5/4/2011)

Sunday night I was on my way home from Atlanta tuned in to CNN when I heard the President planned an unprecedented press conference around 10:40pm. My wife and I speculated on possibilities, “what could be so important?” Jokingly I offered maybe Osama bin Laden was dead, but that certainly was not worth a late night press conference. Of course, if your poll numbers have fallen to historic lows and your re-election campaign was prematurely announced weeks ago then this could be the much needed booster shot.

I argue, “who cares?” Eight or nine years ago the death of Osama bin Laden may have had material impact. For nearly 10 years we have been given the boogeyman of threat, Bin Laden and his minions trying to harm us. Of course, Orwell would not have given up his government boogeyman, Emmanuel Goldstein, because he was the necessary fuel for the government machine. Bin Laden, like Goldstein, is a necessary enemy of the state; serving to distract, unit e and focus the people away from the true issues. Bush brought as bin Laden, a desperate politically troubled president has eliminated him. Reminding us how important it is not to piss off our enemies, the United States is treating Osama bin Laden's body in "accordance with Islamic practice," a White House official says. If this man was our enemy I assert his body be publicly hung in Times Square and treated to a ticker tape parade, unless of course, no body exists and this is a diversion.

So, the real question the next time I board an airplane is, “can I wear my shoes now?” If Bin Laden is dead I assume this means we can pull out of Afghanistan this week and bring our troops home since we spent billions of dollars chasing this idiot through caves, not unlike Bill Murray and the “Caddyshack” gopher. Sadly, the media was quick to report ramped up security efforts, more scanning, and began fear-mongering possible Al Qaeda retaliation attacks. Give me a break, Goldstein (I mean bin Laden) is dead and now the threat level is pushed to imminent. I expect more money will have to be spent to assure Al Qaeda terrorism is minimized. I expect much focus on the White House this week, defining our President as a world-wide hero who saved humanity from an evil man, with the media acting like teen-age girls at a “Teen Beat” cover shoot. Osama bin Laden is dead; can I wear my shoes now?

Land of the Free

Land of the Free (4/27/2011)

Our national anthem brings pride unto ourselves when we quote the famous lines, “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Sadly, since that fateful night at Fort McHenry I would offer the founding fathers fight against royal tyranny for liberty and our forefathers shedding blood for future generations has been usurped by complacency. Examples abound in our current society of both the loss of freedom and lack of bravery.

A December 4, 2006 column in the Russian paper, Pravda, makes reference to “A record 7 million people - or one in every 32 American adults - were behind bars, on probation or on parole by the end of last year', and when these figures are added to the estimated 1 million prisoners of war held by the United States, all around the World, the once great American Nation has now become the greatest jailer of human beings the World has ever known.” Laws such as “Three Strikes” have increased our incarceration rate for even the pettiest of crimes. Even the truly law-abiding are not free. Consider random traffic stops to check your license and insurance, TSA airport searches, security screenings to enter a public event, and proof of identity requirements for job applications and opening bank accounts. Exacerbating the situation is claims these freedoms are taken in the name of liberty.

Ironically, even bravery has been eroded out of fear of consequences. Questioning TSA regarding the 4th amendment and basis for searching six-year olds will prevent you from flying. Publicly videotaping law enforcement creates a fast path to court with criminal charges. My favorite example occurred two weeks ago: Juror 799, an Asian woman in her 20s, when asked to name three people she least admired on her juror questionnaire, wrote: “African-Americans, Hispanics and Haitians.” In the land for the free and home of the brave the woman was sentenced to indefinite jury duty by Federal Judge Nicholas Garaufis – a unilateral decision with no crime committed.

I challenge you to listen carefully to political demagoguery and proposals to “make you safer.” Blood was shed September 3, 1814 to capture freedom and liberty for future generations whilst Francis Scott Key watched the fight and immortalized his feelings. Sadly, our former enemies in Russia watch our freedoms erode and write about it, but the timidity bred into our generations of children makes them blind to the blood given for their liberty and they will not stand bravely for themselves.

I am Angry

I am angry because it appears no one knows what is going on around them with deficits, rising fuel prices, Islamic radicalization, and Middle East uprising. The most twisted issue is an American society willing to tax food, clothing, and shelter, at the same time as supporting 44-million Americans on food stamps all while watching media celebrities like Charlie Sheen make fools of themselves. It cost an extra “Andrew Jackson” to fill my car today and the mainstream blames fuel prices on the Middle East, but that's far from the truth. A middle-school look at the readily available data shows a more fundamental reason for the rise, one destroying our lifestyle and future.

Rising fuel prices are simply attributed to three factors: monetary supply, supply and demand, and speculation. Speculation is based on fear in the market which is driven by political unrest around the world. Supply and demand is a direct consequence of emerging economies, hurricanes in the Gulf, or destruction of Middle East oil assets. Although the Middle East uprisings are dominating news reports daily, the current rising prices are truly a function of monetary supply. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke speculated on QE2 in August 2010 and it was officially announced November 4, 2010. Each week I graph crude oil prices and up until August prices were relatively stable, but immediately following QE2’s speculation fuel prices started to rise, increasing more after the official announcement. With the devaluation of our currency, OPEC announced a desire for higher fuel prices to effectively capture the same income. Today’s Middle Eastern uprising is a secondary issue exacerbating the underlying cause of rising fuel prices. Blame our government and central bank, not those fighting for civil liberties.

The solutions being thrown around by political pundits from both sides make no sense and demonstrate politics’ need-to-please, not realistic solutions. Opening strategic reserves is anecdotal to a giving a cancer patient a band-aid. “The Long Emergency,” as James Howard Kunstler writes, has begun and political unrest, failed monetary policies, and a third-world desirous of the same excesses we enjoy will continue to drive oil prices upward. I am angry pop-culture nonsense Tom Brady’s hair and Gaga’s breast milk ice cream exploits resonates more importantly than the collapse of our currency. On November 10, 2010 I wrote, “Gasoline should easily reach $3.40/gallon by April as OPEC is demanding a minimum $100/gallon.” I am angry no one listens.

Tort Reform

Tort Reform

A discussion about nationalized healthcare cannot take place without mentioning tort reform. In essence, the thought is ‘reducing litigation or damages’ will reduce costs to healthcare. Of course, we could assume that would translate to all industries. Everyone remembers the lawsuit against McDonalds for serving hot coffee, spilled by the consumer. The initial amount of damages awarded was almost $3 million… and was eventually settled out-of-court for $600,000.

Similarly, businesses face threats of lawsuits daily from falls in parking lots or stores, misuse of products, or frivolous acts. A rampant industry of “legal theft” has been created by the television and billboard lawyers fishing for clients who may have an ailment never before considered, but with marketing and awareness suddenly thousands can suffer from imaginary problems, become part of a class lawsuit, and make money. The real winner is the law firm making millions in fees and taking a significant portion of the award.

Movies like “Erin Brokovich” and the many John Grisham novels/films have reminded us of the sympathetic need for our ability to litigate. In these blockbuster films the destitute win against the big, bad corporation and remind us they are evil and must be punished. In other parts of the world citizens cannot sue for millions and must bear the cost of legal fees when initiating a lawsuit and the defendant’s costs - should they lose. Neither method is perfect and creates unintended consequences. Americans appear frivolous and greedy in seeking justice and other countries appear to favor the big company over the individual.

Unfortunately we all face other consequences of our system. Imagine driving your car down Flagler Avenue and having a bicycle run into you. Several weeks later you may find a television lawyer serving you with a lawsuit. Regardless of fault, your insurance company will pay, not even argue the case, as the lawyer pursues an endless income stream from legal extortion. Similarly, a professional license is jeopardized by frivolous complaints and legal fees; to defend proper decisions can cost tens of thousands. Imagine the numbers professionals in the financial industry accused of “losing money” during the collapse of 2008-2009. Of course, the likes of Bernie Madoff permanently tarnished the reputation of those exercising due diligence.

Regardless of fault, a system of arbitration to bypass the expense of discovery should be established, especially on an individual basis. Principles costs money and often settlement to find personal peace through dismissal is a better option, but a feeling of admission of guilt is created when no guilt is present. “I do not add ‘within the limits of the law’ because law is often but the tyrant’s will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.” – Thomas Jefferson

Really?

There are days I watch the news with disbelief. Politicians offer statements and comments that my third grade son would laugh at and know are not true. Of more concern is the current the lack of experience, or just plain stupidity, of our current leaders.

Since the oil spill in the Gulf I knew jokingly George Bush would ultimately be blamed. As people would discuss the spill and what went wrong the comment would be made, “it must be George Bush’s fault” and laugh about the situation. When President Obama went on the offensive, to defend his actions on Friday he placed blame for the accident squarely on the shoulders of “administrations of the past decade”. I addressed such actions in prior columns and now we can conclude with certainty Obama is responsible for nothing. It appears anything, however remote to the past, will always be blamed on Bush.

There was no surprise in the media to Obama’s nomination of Kagan for Supreme Court Justice. With no record of judicial experience she is as qualified as the President is for his position. Kagan’s action to remove military recruiters at Harvard was unanimously overturned by the Supreme Court, and she has a failing track record arguing cases as Solicitor General. Her writings demonstrate contempt for the Constitution, and favoritism of a strong leftist approach to government. Compared to the President the only qualification she lacks is “Community Organizer.”

Finally, Attorney General Eric Holder made comments that should make every American stop in their tracks and say, “huh?” As Attorney General Holder’s job is to uphold the laws of the land and ensure constitutionality. Since the passage of Arizona’s “Enforcement of Immigration Laws” (AZ SB1070) Holder, and Obama, have both publicly criticized the law. On Thursday Holder was questioned before Congress and stated “I grant that I have not read it…my comments are based on reading news reports, watching television.” I am appalled the Attorney General and President criticize American citizens without reading legislation.

This morning I read the 17-page Arizona Bill in ten minutes. Based on the selection of Kagan for Supreme Court nominee, my ability to read state legislation, and the fact I took the LSAT I should be nominated for a high judicial position within the Obama administration. I can’t wait to see what this week brings; I only know it will be George Bush’s fault.